《Worlds Gate》


 Prologue

    It was still morning, yet the sun beat across the land relentlessly. The shadows it cast doing little to cool the scorched landscape as I walked through the endless desert before me.


    The dry air and hot winds were just as bad, forcasting this day to be far worst than the last as it seemed to suck the moisture from my very skin. It was hot beyond compare, I could feel it burning me, even as I stood behind one of the last eroding towers from days long past. No sane creature would dare go to the surface during the day.


    But that was exactly why I was there.


    I tugged my mothers faded mahogany scarf further up my face as the wind whipped it around, ensuring the majority of gritty sand would not be breathed in as I trudged slowly through the eroding towers and blistering sand. I didn''t get far before having to stop, the heat making it impossible to walk for too long. Dizzy I hunkered over to the edge of one of the remaining towers, managing to catch a wind block as I lifted my tinted googles and looked to the sky, Its pale blue color a dim comparison of its long forgotten ancestor.


    I knew it was late for the season, I had believed summer had come and gone, but it was hard to tell on the surface. Any feelings outside of unbearable heat and burning hot winds was simply a dream of past days. I could still remember the stories my mother told me of the surface world and how its history was long forgotten, our family being among the last to know of this once living worlds distant past. She told me stories of a green land covered in things called plants as far as the eye could see, and vast bodies of water called oceans. Both swarming with beautiful creatures. Those were only a few of the grand stories she told me. As a child I thought the words she spoke were a fascinating truth to be discovered, but as I soon found out it was anything but. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    The stories my mother told me were just that, fairytales for the young. For the weak who couldn''t bear the truth. This world was nothing but an ever-shifting wasteland. The only beautiful creatures here were the dead ones. The livings only thought was of killing all they came across, hunger and madness driving them time and time again. This barren land had no rules. Only the strong survived. It was a valuable lesson to be learned early, my scared side a constant reminder of that truth.


    Sighing, I pull my googles back down and wipe the lenses with my thumb, removing some of the sand in the process before continuing my journey eastward. My mother may have lied about many of things, but there was one story that I wished desperately to be the truth, because I was risking everything for it.


    She told me of a place beyond the eastward dunes, a place that linked all the worlds together. A place where life could be reborn. I honestly never believed her, but I was at my limit. There had to be more to this life. There had to be... Hope. I wanted a new beginning, a place to truly belong. I wanted... no, needed, the power to change this thing called ''FATE''. This was my life, and I was going to live and die the way I chose too.


    Luckily, I had a name to go by at least. As she lay dying in my arms from severe dehydration, she managed to whisper its name to me.


    Pasaules Varti. The Worlds Gate.

 Chapter 1

    Chapter One


    I callapsed to my knees, the sun burning down my back as I panted from exhaustion. The bare expanse of desert a daunting challenge for my weary body. I had walked for two days straight, yet there was no time to rest. My water was desperately low and the skinners were getting closer.


    The savage beasts with brutally sharp claws picked up on my scent a couple miles outside the old city and had been following me ever since. They weren''t especially large, but they were smart, and always roamed in packs. They would wait, and oh how patiently they waited, for me to let my guard down. I couldn''t sleep, not with them circling me. I would never wake again if I did.


    I glanced behind me in desperation, willing the creatures to be gone, to have finally given up on me. There was no such luck. They were still there, even with my blurry eyes I could tell, sleep deprivation and my goggles doing little to hide their forms upon the dune a couple miles behind me.


    They were watching me. Just standing out in the open, not even bothering to dart around behind another dune as they could tell it wouldn''t be long before I callapsed. I gave a dry laugh as I saw the other forms darting around behind the dunes at my sides. Two more packs of skinners had joined.


    Gritting my teeth I forced my lithe and malnurished body to stand. I wouldn''t die, not like this. I wasn''t going to be eaten by these near hairless beasts, not until I knew if what I was looking for was real or not. I squeezed the compass hanging around my neck with fierce determination. It had strange markings carved into its sides, and had been passed down my family for generations. It was also my only hope of finding the place my mother spoke of so dearly.


    Those skinners could just go fuck themselves. I wasn''t giving up on life yet.


    I crossed many more miles before stopping again. The heat was just to much. I needed a drink before I passed out and died from dehydration. Pulling out my waterskin I drank deeply, relishing the feeling of water cascading down my throat. But that was a mistake. I realized it too late as I heard the screech and felt something knock into my side, sending me to the ground with a thud as my water skin flew into the nearby dune, dumping my remaining water to sizzle on the ground. My leather pack was sent flying off my shoulder as well from the shear force of the impact.


    Now on top of me the skinner lunged, panicking I barely turned and put my arm up in time to catch his throat as his jaws snapped shut mere inches from my face. Wrapping my fingers in his thin fur I struggled to keep his repeatedly snapping jaws at bay as more screeching started to get closer. I could tell they were excited. Eager to eat the first real meal they''ve had in days. Eager to finish me off. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Fury spread in my chest, making me scream in frustration. This wasn''t fair, it wasn''t right. I had to be meant for something better, not supper for some ugly assed creatures. I had to be. Tears came to my eyes at that last thought. Tears of sadness, anger, and outright hatred towards the unfairness of this world. I had to live, which meant removing anything that got in my way. Burning with this new found strength I wrapped my other hand around the top of his throat, digging my fingers into his fur as I gave a violent twist.


    A loud crack echoed around me as his neck snapped, sending his lifeless body to the ground beside me from the sudden motion. Taking the oportunity I jumped up. Pulling the small dagger strapped to my back in the process as I quickly turned to check my surroundings.


    There were skinners everywhere. in the short amount of time it took me to snap the other ones neck the rest had closed in, circling around me as they watched me with weary eyes. The loud crack and sudden stillness of their fallen comrade making them hesitate.


    A part of me sighed in relief that they hadn''t decided to jump on me as I was getting up, the other just resigned itself for the knowing battle to come and watched them warely, waiting to see who would attack first.


    Skinners only roamed in packs of four, just enough to take down their food without feeding any extra mouths. But if a hunt lasted as long as it did with me though, there were bound to be a few extra packs join in. Oh, they would all work together to kill me at first, but then they would fight and kill each other to claim my tender remains.


    With that kind of mentality, I suspected there wasn''t many of them left anymore.


    Tsk. It was just my luck, running into a small group of surviving skinners during an already perilous journey. This trip wasn''t shaping up to be a very good investment on my part.


    A quick scan gave me a head count of eleven, making me dread the tough fight that lay ahead. A few of them stood still with their four legs tensed, observing me with an eary quiet about them, the rest circled restlessly, jumping in a few feet to bite at the air before leaping back in an almost playful manner. The crazed eyes and frothing mouths telling me it was anything but.


    Closing my eyes, I steaded my resolve. Playtime was over. Having fought with their kind before I knew what to do, even if I hated doing it.


    Gripping my knife more tightly I spun and ran for the one on my right. Yelping at my sudden advance it jumped backwards as the one now behind me growled and leapt for my exposed backside. Predicting its advance I quickly spun to my right again, lodging my knife in the side of his throat as I shifted out of his way slightly and continued to spin, its own momentum carrying it forward, causing my knife to easily slice the side of its throat completely open before dislodging. It fell to the ground with a gurgled whine before going deathly still at the others feet.


    There was a tense silience as they looked at their second fallen comrade in what I could only describe as shock. One of them began to growl low in its throat as the others screeched, there was no way I could run now. Twisting all the way around, I aimed my knife towards the growling ones face as they all lunged. As my knife met its eye and blood sprayed my face I couldn''t help but think I could''ve avoided this. If only I hadn''t let my guard down, then I wouldn''t have had to risk my life on such a meaningless act of selfish fury.

 Chapter 1 part 2

    It was over. I wipped the blood from my eye as I stood panting. My goggles had been knocked off during the battle when one had tried to gourge my eye, but it only managed to cut down my face and grab the goggles instead when I had spun away. The rest were just as quick, but I managed to dodge enough each time so that if one managed to sink its nasty claws into me it wouldn''t be anything fatal.


    Glancing at the retreating figures of the last six I smiled a little in disbelief. they had actually decided to retreat, even though I was barely getting the killing shots in during the battle. They must''ve been young to have not noticed my callapsing strength. As it was, I could barely stand. The sun bearing down on my wounded and exhausted body was making my body quiver. Ready to give out on me at any moment. But I coudn''t let myself callapse out in the open like this. I needed shelter, fast.


    Starting to turn, I winced at the sudden pain from my side. Looking down I see three deep lacerations in my side. Grimacing at the blood I did a quick look over and spotted several more injuries that littered my body from the fight. Three more claw marks tore down my right leg, shredding my sand-caked pants, and another smaller laceration was on my upper arm, slightly longer than the one I was now sporting down the left side of my face.


    Luckily, none would prove fatal or cause serious damage if I could get them treated in time.


    Groaning at the potential problems that lay ahead, I painfully bent down and began to cut open the skinners stomachs.


    Remembering all my mother taught me about what I could use from a skinners body for my own survival, I dug my hand into the spot above their stomachs, pulling out the small sacks that allowed them to store excess water and dumping what they had stored into my waterskin for later use. After that I cut open their throats next, eager to get to their saliva glands that would help speed up the healing process of the wounds I now sported from the fight. Finding them I give a triumphant cry before wrapping my hand around them and yanking them out. Ignoring the blood and slim covering my hands, I quickly cut one of the glands open and began smearing the saliva over my wounds, instantly grateful for my moms kick ass survival skills as the pain lessened. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Once I was done tending and wrapping my wounds, I wrapped the remaining glands in what little cloth I could bring myself to salvage from my mothers body and walked over to my leather sack, stuffing them in deep to keep them from drying out too fast. Taking a moment to sit there, I closed my eyes in relieve and sighed. The saliva was already numbing my aching body. I could barely feel the wounds, unlike the unbearable heat that was coming from the now setting sun.


    Grimacing I rolled my shoulders uncomfortably as I stood and retrieved my goggles, knowing all too well I wouldn''t have long to start a fire before night came.


    Mindful of the sun I quickly salvaged all I could carry from the bodies and started burning the rest. The creatures that roamed at night hated fire, it looked like the sun to them, and they hated the heat for the exact same reason, so I smiled at the first chance I would have to finally get some sleep.


    As night took over the land I drank some water before snuggling in closer to the heat and light of the fire. When I finally drifted to sleep on the sand I dreamed of a green world filled with more water than I could possibly drink. A smile crept over my face as I clutched the compass that forever pointed east in my sleep.


    Soon, I thought. Soon I could make my dream a reality.

 Chapter 2

    Many months passed in a blur of scorching heat and pain from the state of borderline dehydration that I keep my body in to conserve my dwindling water supply. The compass mother gave me still pointed east, giving no sign if I was any closer to this Worlds Gate then when I started this whole journey. My hope dwindled as my body began to shut down, my exposed skin long burned and blistered from the unforgiving sun.


    It was getting ridiculously hard to find water to refill my waterskin with. I used to just go down into a cave below the surface to get water and rest during the day, But I couldn''t find one anymore, and there wasn''t any skinners around either to use their watersacks, so that painted the landscape pretty bleak if even the skinners stayed clear of this area. Now I was having to risk traveling at night just to find a puddle reforming from one of the few underground water systems left.


    Having been scorched into oblivion by the sun during the daylight hours, it would slowly trinkle up during the night. But even that was coming fewer and further between, causing me to drink heavely when I finally found one, sometimes choking in my haste to quench my burning insides.


    Another week was all I could stand. My short brown hair whipped around wildly in the wind, my green eyes long glazed over, seeing nothing as my feet dragged themselves one in front of the other in a semblence of walking, stuck in a pattern that I had long forgotten how to move too. Dehydration was taking its toll. I no longer had the ability to look at my compass to see if I was even going the right way, nor did I even lift my waterskin to drink. Not that it would''ve helped me anymore, the water was long gone, having ran out three days ago.


    My mind was such a grey blurry mess I didn''t even notice my goggles were gone, nor the terrian start to change. Rocks began poking out through the sand all around me. Slowly at first, but after a few miles there were many more, some too big for my feet to have even glided over.


    If I was even semi-conscience I would''ve noticed the well sized rocks dotting my path and avoided them, but I wasn''t even close to that state of mind. My balance immediately failed me as my foot kicked into one directly in front of my path. My legs crumbled underneath me, sending me sprawling into a larger stones shadow.


    My conscience stirred slightly at the feeling of cooler air flowing over my burned and pained body. I barely managed to frown as my eyelids cracked open from the sensation.


    Why was there cool air?


    Confusion made me painfully lift my head and open my eyes completely. What I saw left me frozen in shock as my consciousness rushed back.


    I had fallen into the shade of a large obsidion rock that was sticking straight out of the ground like a door, its top being semi-circular like an ovals. But that isn''t what snapped me to attention. The strange markings covering the rock in some sort of pattern did. The markings were the same as on my compass. Hope shot through my chest. As I remembered what my mother told me I determinedly forced my practically dead body to crawl closer to the stone, my shaking arms giving out directly in front of it with a pained cry from me.


    With extreme effort, I reached up and put my hand on the stone. The cool air I was feeling seemed to be pulsing from the rock itself. Struggling to keep my shaking hand on the rock I pulled my compass off my neck and opened it. The needle that had always pointed east was now spinning wildly.


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    I was all aware of the intense pain coursing through my body, but I didn''t know how bad my body really was, the pain seeming to come from more than the exstensive burns and dehydration. But even the pain didn''t stop the excitement and awe that lit up my face. I looked up at the stone in wonder. It was real. The compass truly led me somewhere, it wasn''t just broke after all.


    This was it. The place I put everything on the line for. Gasping from the pain I lifted myself up and leaned my back onto the stone. The cool air flowing from the rock was an instant relief to my burned skin, but the effort left me panting as the pain seemed to double in intensity from forcing myself to move.


    Bitting my lip I forced the pain down the best I could. I couldn''t let myself pass out, I had the feeling I was lucky to be awake right now, so I couldn''t let this opportunity slip by. I had to finish what I started. I had to find out if I really could have a new start at life like mother told me.


    Blinking the sun out of my eyes I looked around for something, anything, that would allow such a thing.


    Seeing nothing I frowned. This was definitely the place, it had to be. No other place had better odds then a rock that not only looked like a door but had the exact same strange markings all over it as my seemingly magical compass. Which still sounded freaking ridiculous, even too me. But there was the strange cold wind that literally poured out from the rock itself, so I''m pretty sure you couldn''t get any more magically inclined then that.


    After ten minutes of pain inducing movements I leaned my head agaist the rock in frustration. Trying everything I could think of to stimulate some kind of response from ANYTHING around me proved absolutely fruitless. Nothing stirred aside from the sand blowing in the wind. I closed my eyes in resignment.


    Maybe my mom got that part of the story wrong. It was passed through our family for generations after all, I wouldn''t be surprised if a few parts got exaggerated over the years for a little more entertainment value.


    The magical rock and compass seemed legit at least. The rock was probably just some magical cooling device from back in the day or something, cause it certainly wasn''t a ''''life bringer'''' of any sort. In fact, it seemed my death was innevetable now.


    Licking my cracked lips with an even drier tongue I gave a raspy laugh as I closed my eyes in resignation. ''''Pasaules Varti my ass.''''


    My eyes snapped back open as the ground suddenly began to shake and the markings on the rock started glowing a bright blue. Wincing at the light I raised my hand to my eyes in an attempt to block it out, failing to notice the source of it as I looked around wildly.


    ''''What the-?'''' My raspy voice gives out as many hands made of the same glowing light as the marks flew out of the rock and wrapped themselves around my body.


    As I felt myself get yanked backwards and pass through the rock a burning white light engulfed me, then everything went black as I lost conscienceness.

 Chapter 2 part 2

    I drifted through a memory not my own as I struggled to wake.


    A memory of a young girl around my age, golden blond hair pulled in a tight bun with loose curls tickling her neck, blue eyes sparkling with mirth, dancing in a charming mahogany ball gown to the most beautiful music I had ever heard. My mothers singing dimmed in comparison to this concerto of sounds, all mixing into one, making what the other girl called an orchastra. The other girl was laughing, swaying, dipping, all to the simple yet complex sounds they produced. Pure joy alighted her face as she stared into the eyes of the hansome boy holding her as they danced.


    There were colors I had never seen before fighting for dominance in the grand room, all brightly lit by the strange floating orbs attached to the ceiling. My eyes watered at the sight, but the tears were ones of happiness. This world was so beautiful, so full of colors and things i''ve never even dreamed of, I only wished the memory could play on forever. Not caring about where I was and why I was even there. It was pure, it was ethereal. Nothing was tainted here. All there was was happiness and peace, the feeling of belonging, yet not, drifting strongly through my being. I was there, I was the girl in the memory.


    Ephoria washed over me as I let myself drift into the girl until I could no longer tell I was anyone else. I was her, she was me, and nothing else aside from this world mattered. It was hers, and it was mine, because we were the same.


    The boy swung me around as I laughed heartedly, enjoying the air pull past me from the tempo of our dance. He was laughing too, enjoying the dance just as much as me. Or perhaps he was enjoying my company more than the dance. I flushed at the thought, my smile never leaving me as his eyes sparkled with something I couldn''t quite understand. I felt loved in his arms. As if he would protect me from everything bad in the world without a second thought, as if I myself was his entire world. I knew him as a friend, but also a lover. We were young, and hopelessly in love. One day we would marry, and I would be the happiest girl in the entire world.


    With that thought, the image suddenly flashed white as I was thrown into another memory. This one was even more beautiful than the last, and I was the girl once again.


    We ran upon a hill, through a field of flowers surrounded by a forest that seemed to stretch beyond the horizon. The sun, glowing warmly in the richest blue sky I had ever seen, sparkled off the white flowers before me, making their petals glow as the wind tossed them through the air around me. Laughing in delight I continued to run as the petals caught in my hair, trying to outrun the laughing boy following close behind.


    As I reached the top of the hill he caught me, I screamed in delight as we rolled down the hill a short distance, sending petals flying into the air in our wake. He chuckled as we came to a stop with him on top of me, lightly pulling one of the many pedals from my hair.


    ''''You know, those petals really suit you. Are you sure you''re not a flower?''''


    Giggling I slap him lightly across the shoulder. ''''If im a flower then you must be a prickly old weed. All you do is tear my clothes on our meets.''''


    He glances down as I gestured to my slim-fitting blue dress, now slightly torn at the leg. smirking he glances back up with a mischevious look in his eye. ''''Hmm, perhaps. But if im so prickly then I haven''t nearly torn it enough, wouldn''t you agree?''''


    ''''Wh-Wha-'''' Finally realizing how close he was too my body I shoved him, blushing beat red in the process. ''''You-you dirty goat! Don''t say that kind of stuff to a lady!''''


    Laughing he falls backwards into the flowers. ''''You should see your face! Its priceless!''''


    Huffing I sat up and crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him in the process. ''''Well I''m sorry if my face looks funny too you. If it offends you so badly then maybe next time you should refrain from making such remarks.''''


    Wipping the laughter tears from his eyes he sits up as well. ''''Nah. I like making you blush. Its super cute.''''


    Somehow, my face turned even more red than before as I quickly glanced to the flowers at my side and begun picking at them. ''''W-Well, I-If thats how you feel, then I suppose I''ll have to indulge you. A-As your friend, of course.''''


    Smiling he leans in and touches our forheads together as he puts his hand on my cheek. ''''For now.''''


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    Confused at his words I look up, just as he brings his lips down and meets mine.


    Just as suddenly the memory flashs again, but this time I was sent hurling through many memories at once. The memories flashed by in a blur, only showing me brief moments of the girl in a world I wished was my own. It seemed to stretch eternity, but I knew it only lasted a few minutes at best. Skipping through the girls short teen life into full adulthood, allowing me to experience only the ones that seemed important for what was to come.


    As the memory flashed white again, I knew it was finally sending me tumbling into another with meaning. One I could actually take my time through.


    This time I was at a beautiful wedding. The same white flowers from the field before lined the back of the chairs filled with people, and were woven together to form a trailing rope that stretched along the chairs lining the aisle, lazily stretching towards the archway where the bride and groom stood with the priest. The arch was covered in the white flowers as well, making an awe inspiring canopy for them to stand under.


    Happily I flew over and joined with the girl, wanting to feel as one once more.


    I blinked, realizing I was looking at the mans face who stood across from me. Love swelled as he gave me that same smile he gave me that day in the field. It was here I was meant to be. Happy and loved in this mans gentle arms. Nothing felt more certain than that.


    As the priest finished our vows and the crowd cheered, we both leaned in to finish it with a kiss. But before our lips even met the happiness I felt turned to ashes in my mouth.


    The world seemed to stop as the day suddenly turned to night with a hollow boom echoing throughout the sky. All the birds stopped their singing as if in fear. Even the wind was still, as if holding its breath for something to happen. Frowning at the sudden stillness of everything around us, I looked around in cofusion as our guests did the same, no one daring to make a noise as they looked to the now star-lit sky in awe and horror.


    A little girls whimpering finally broke the silience, and as if a spell was lifted, people began whispering loudly too each other, fear carrying their voices up too the arch.


    ''''what''s going on?''''


    ''''Where''s the sun?''''


    ''''Mommy, Im scared!''''


    ''''It''s alright honey, momma''s got you.''''


    ''''What in the world is going on here?! Where''s the bloody sun!''''


    ''''Quite down Ruth, you''re scaring the kids!''''


    ''''I ain''t doin'' nothin''! Their just scared of the fudgin'' dark is all!''''


    ''''Ruth! Language!''''


    ''''What?! I said fudgin'' not fu-''''


    The man in front of me let go of my hands with a sigh.''''Aunt Ruth, calm yourself. There must be an explanation for all of this. Just sit back down and relax, I''m sure it''ll all be over soon.''''


    And oh, how I wished he was wrong. Before his aunt could even respond a deafening boom resounded through-out the world with such force it threw us, and everything we had set up, to the ground as well. The trellis barely missing heads as it went crashing through the crowd.


    The still trees were just as suddenly being thrashing against each other as well with the same wind, sending creatures of all kinds running for some sort of cover as it continued to blow with such terrifying force.


    Ears ringing from the thunderous clap of sound, I looked behind where the priest once stood in growing horror as the winds ripped around us, threatening to blow those who got back up over once more.


    A gaint beam of blue light was shooting up from the world and seemed to pierce the very heavens. It was so far away, yet it stretched such a vast distance I could see it clearly, even from here. I ignored all the screams that echoed behind me when everyone else saw the same pillar of light as I began to weep. I knew where that light was coming from, and the truth of it tore at my soul. Only one place in the world held that ethereal blue light. The place that my father was tasked from his father before him with protecting.


    The Pasaules Varti.


    As my now husband struggled to pull me up my eyes never left the pillar that continued to shoot into the sky. This was it. With a growing certainty I knew. This marked the end of everything. Though at the time I didn''t understand why.

 Chapter 3

    Blinking rapidly to dislodge the tears that had unknowingly formed in my eyes, I finally woke. Not to the world in those strange memories, nor to the desert as I was expecting. I woke to a world of white.


    The white stretched as far as one could see, and well past. Stretching infinitely it held not a drop of color. There was nothing that filled this white emptiness, I was the only thing there with any form of shape or color. As the eary quiet pressed in from all sides I sat up in panic.


    Looking around, I realized I was on a small patch of white marble, though it seemed to drop into the white nothingness as if it hadn''t exsisted in the first place a short distance from my body. Looking at it warely I pulled my knees up away from the edge, sending sand off my pants and onto the white floor with a small rustling sound that seemed to intensify in the still air around me.


    Shocked by the realness of the sand I stared at it, unsure what to do. Suddenly realizing the unsureness of where I was I pulled my knees tighter too my chest and whimpered. I was... scared. I didn''t know what to do. My mom was dead, and now, I was pretty sure I was dead too. Is this what the afterlife was like? Nothing but an endless white void of emptiness, where you drifted all alone? Shivering at the thought I put my head on my knees as I wrapped my hands around my legs.


    Within my sudden stillness, a womans voice that seemed to speak from a multitude of mouths at once called too me. The quite yet thunderous voices held power, and a softness that made my heart ache to be held by them.


    ''''There''s no need to despair my child, you''re not dead yet.''''


    Startled at the beautiful voices that seemed to caress me like a loving mothers, my head snapped up as I wildly looked around in growing fear.


    ''''W-Who''s there! Show yourself!''''


    I shivered violently as gentle laughter flowed around me, for some reason scared of the overly loving feeling I was getting from it.


    '''' Child, there''s no reason to fret, I''m right in front of you. Though...'''' A frown seemed to creep into the motherly voices.'''' You don''t need to be scared of me child. I won''t hurt you.''''


    Squeezing my eyes shut I ducked my head back into my knees. A part of me not wanting to see what could possibly exist in such an empty place.


    This woman -whoever she was- was wrong. I wasn''t scared, I was terrified. And I wasn''t sure why. What was wrong with me? I''ve never been this scared in my life, not even when my mother was leaving me all alone. It was strange, I was certainly afraid of the current situation, but what I was feeling was a bone deep dread. For the past or for what the future held I wasn''t sure. But it was forboding, and I couldn''t stop shaking.


    ''''I-I''m sorry. Im not normally like this. I don''t know whats wrong with me.'''' Confusion and fear coated my voice heavily. Hearing this, the floating voices seemed to sigh, but it was too faint for me to tell.


    '''' It is my fault little one. This place brings out ones inner self, and you my child, are terrified of all that has happened too you, and all that will.'''' A warm breeze brushes by as she continues. ''''And I''m afraid this is only the beginning of your journey. Much hardship lays ahead of you my child, and I cannot save you from it.''''


    My head snaps up at the last part, it mirroring the exact words my mother told me before she passed. I could no longer feel the warmth against me, and I still did not see this woman claiming to be in front of me.


    ''''What do you mean? Why can''t I see you?'''' I asked in desperation.


    ''''That is not for me to say little one. You must discover that on your own.''''She says.


    I frowned in confusion. ''''But I--''''Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ''''Think child. Why did you come here?'''' She commands softly.


    My hands fisted in my pantlegs as I struggled to remember where ''here'' was exactly. ''''I don''t know. I don''t even know where I am.''''


    A moment passed in silence before the motherly figure spoke, sorrow heavy in her voice. ''''Oh child, I''m sorry. I only wished to show you how the world as you knew it came to be by using your ancestors memories, but it seems I''ve confused you instead.''''


    My eyes widened in surprise. ''''Wha-''''


    A strange yet comforting breeze gently flows by at my obvious distress, blowing my disleveled and sand coated hair back from my face, siliencing me as she continued to speak.


    ''''Do not worry little one, I shall explain everything too you.''''


    At this, I perk up warily, my attention fully cast on the woman''s voice drifting around me. The voices hummed quietly in discontent as I waited.''''But first, let''s do something about those primative eyes of yours, shall we?'''' I stared straight ahead in disbelief. What did she just say?


    Not believing it possible, a light brighter than this white void suddenly flashed into my eyes. ''''OW!'''' I cried out, blinking my stinging and watering eyes rapidly I looked around with my now fuzzy vision. As it cleared a shape began to appear in front of me. A tree even taller than the ones in the other girls memories stood a few feet in front of me, its branches and bright green leaves rustling in a wind I could not feel as it glowed with a golden light. Shocked, I sat there and stared as the glowing light that surrounded the tree began to pulse as the woman spoke fondly.


    ''''There, isn''t that better?'''' I blinked at this.


    ''''Uh, you''re a tree.'''' I couldn''t help but stare.


    Another silience seemed to stretch, making me think I insulted her before she finally spoke.


    ''''Well... I was hoping with your bloodline you''d be different, but I suppose it was too much to ask for someone like you to see my true form. A tree will do for now.''''


    ''''Woah, woah, woah! what do you mean like me?'''' disbelief shot through me at that. Who did this woman think she was?! It''s not like I wanted to see her as a tree!


    ''''Nothing child, I was not meaning to offend you. I was simply referring to your lack of belief.'''' The voices sounded amused as they spoke, which pissed me off greatly.


    I glared at the tree, my fear withering in place of my anger.


    ''''Belief in what exactly? What could there possibly be for me to believe in? The unfairness of life? Certain death? The greater power that will safe us all?'''' The marble underneath me cracks as my anger seems to spread from me in a tangable force. ''''There is nothing that warrents my belief, not now, not ever. So take that belief shit and shove it, O'' Great Tree-ness, ''cause I couldn''t care less for it.''''


    My anger dripped venomessly from my words, revealing to the owner of the voices more than pictures could about the horrible suffering in my life.


    No matter what my mother told me of a greater power, I never believed. I carried no faith for that which would abandon me. My life felt cursed, but I''d be damned if I let it control me forever. It was my life. MINE. I would change it. And the world along with it.


    The woman pitied me, but she was not without her own reasons, nor anger. And time was running out. The white nothingness around me seemed to expand and contract as a low rumble sounded through its depths.


    ''''Do not take me lightly child. I am caring, but far from forgiving.'''' The tree pulsed brighter in rightous anger. Her many voices growing ominously with it.


    ''''What your ancestor did to that world of yours is beyond forgivable. He brought upon it ruin, and ended its connection to life itself.''''


    I paled and hastly stood, fear taking over once more as the plateform around me began crumbling away from the force of her anger.


    ''''Your family was blessed by me, and held powers in order to protect the Pasaules Varti that I left in your care, allowing life to blossom on your world un-hindered. But your ancestrial Grandfather got greedy. He craved power more than anything. He sought to control life itself, and with his selfish decisions lead that very world you so femently curse for its unfairness to its very death.''''


    I whimpered as the white beyond my ever decreasing plateform pulsed and ebbed, looking to swallow me whole in its fury.


    ''''I know why you''ve come too me daughter of Sheira and Lorv, and though you''ve done not but mock and scorn me, I shall not place my anger for your ancestor upon your head. I will grant your wish, but what you desire will not come easily. You will be tested, and I shall measure your worth. Do not fail me child, or I will end you.''''


    I looked to the tree in terror as the entire white void started shining brighter by the second, the feeling of it closing in around me strengthened as the pulsing tree became less and less visible behind the blinding light.


    Filled with dread and feeling as if i''ve done something horribly wrong, I whispered shakingly to the woman, my voice filled with fear.


    ''''What are you?''''


    Suddenly the last bit of plateform crumbles underneath me, sending me falling into the white oblivion below. Just as the light rushes forward and envelopes me I hear her voice as a singular, as soothing as rain upon the parched earth, brushing by my ear as if on wings. Its tone commanding yet gentle once more.


    ''''I am Riishi, the Life Bringer. Remember me well, child.''''

 Chapter 4 - Fated Meetings -

    On a distant planet that still held much life, a boy woke from his sleep in a panic. Breathing rapidly he looked around his clay and straw thatched home, desperate to locate his little brother as the feeling of dread from his nightmares still clung to him. Seeing his brother sound asleep in the bed beside him he sighed in relief. It was ok, his brother still lived, he wasn''t bleeding out in the garden like he dreamed.


    Weary, the boy looked outside the window beside his bed towards the small garden located beside the house. It was still night, but there was no way he would be able to sleep. Not after having a nightmare about his brothers own death. Rubbing his face vigerously he closed his heavy eyes. This was the third night he dreamed of such, and it was tearing at his soul. The boy had the gift of sight, and with it he could see the deaths of those he grew to love. At first he cursed it, after seeing their parents die in the exact manner he dreampt, he thought he himself sent them to their deaths. But then a being of light came to him in his grief stricken dreams. It spoke too him, with a voice that could end all sadness if it only spoke too those who carried it, and told him he need not cry, for what he saw was something that was meant to be. Their deaths were etched in the Scroll Of Beginnings before they were even born. It was inevitable.


    He was devasted at first, and it let him scream until he could no more. Then it wrapped him in the lights warm embrace, and peace and understanding washed through him in waves. He never cursed his gift after that. For he finally knew. His sight wasn''t there to curse those whom he loved. It was there to show him a path of uncertainty, so that he may change it. It was a gift. And he would cherish it.


    After their first incounter the Being took it upon itself to teach him what his parents could no longer about his true heritage. He, along with his parents, was part of the Chosen, those blessed with gifts of life from the Life Bringer herself, the Goddess Riishi. They were tasked to guard the Gate within the forest that brought life to our world from the lifestream, where the Goddess dwelled and reigned, and to protect the balance of their world as well.


    He knew it would be tough, but the Goddess had promised that when her Chosen died, they would be reborn with their families on a world immortal, where peace forever reigned. That alone was what he wished for, and he dutifully protected the door between the worlds since. It was only after the Being left his dreams several years later in a sea of lasting warmth did he realize who it actually was. It was Riishi. The Goddess herself gave him comfort, and raised him into a man. Realizing this he cried tears of happiness, and his faith in her grew into an unbreakable bond. He was determined to protect her gate with his life.


    Smiling at the memories of his past the boy looks into the woods tiredly. He would have faith, and change his brothers uncertain path. As the boy lays back down and drifts to sleep he dreams once more. Not of his brothers death, but of a girl. A girl from a dying world who wielded immense power. And the deaths of many worlds to come.


    _______________


    The boy woke that morning feeling completely drained, his spirit exhausted from the forced vision of the unknown girl. Groggedly he sat up in bed, his brother already up and humming from the kitchen as he prepared their breakfast.


    It was strange. He''s never been able to dream of someone he didn''t know, which made him question if the Goddess didn''t send it too him for some reason. But given the fact it was about a multitued of worlds dying, he''d have to go with a yes on that part. But why? What did that girl have to do with anything? Was she a Chosen too? That would certainly explain why she had power. But that much? He couldn''t stop the shiver that ran down his spine as he recalled the feeling he got from her. If that truly was the Goddess'' power, then why was it so dark?


    Shaking his head the boy stood and got ready for the days farming. Whatever it was, he hoped it wasn''t bad, but the feeling deep inside of him said otherwise.


    _______________


    Pain. Pain was all I could remember. Pain everywhere. I felt like I was burning alive, my very soul being scorched over and over again. I didn''t understand what was happening to me. Wave after wave. Pain. Nothing but blinding, searing pain.


    Pain tore through my mind and body like it was swiss cheese, melting and remaking me time and time again. I screamed, but heard nothing. I no longer had a throat to scream from. My very being wept as I was forced through the lifestream, something no mortal was ever meant to do. A foreign energy seared and converged through mine, keeping my soul from shredding, yet attaching itself in ways I never thought possible. I feared it. I feared Her. What was happening? Why was she doing this too me? I didn''t understand. I knew I was traveling through the lifestream, and that the energy with me was a womans, but how and why I didn''t know. Ignorance was supposed to be bliss, yet this was painful. I longed. Longed to return to my world. But I knew that was impossibe now. I could feel myself being taken further and further from my home, and no matter how much I tried,shewould not let me turn back.


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    Color flew by my ghostly form. ethereal and awe spiring. The colors of life were untangible. When I thought I saw a color I recognized, it quickly changed to something else. Some that my mother would''ve said could only exist in the realms of the Gods. It was beautiful, yet sickening too my mortal mind. I couldn''t grasp their essence, for I lacked the knowledge to do so. I supposed this could''ve been the end, but a part of me knew it was only just the beginning. Something was happenning. Something I had no control over. And it was devastating.


    Suddenly everything turned white. I was no longer soaring through at high speeds, I was still, and so was everything around me. Dimly I was aware of some part of me whispering that I was between realms, the nothingness before life took physical form, but how I knew this I wasn''t sure. Perhaps it had something to do with the foreign energy that I felt had become one with me, but I couldn''t focus enough to care. The pain was gone. Truly and finally gone. I relished the quite, the peace. I loved this white nothingness more than I thought I ever would. I was grateful for the lack of pain. Even to the point I was willing to forgive the horrible being who brought me here, who tore me through it all. The Life Bringer, corrected that same part of me who interrupted me earlier. My entire being scowled. Why was I interupting myself for trivial facts? Nothing mattered here, after all the void must stay pure of conscious thought.


    Wait, what did I just say?


    My consciousness jerked to attention, causing the nothingness around me to shunder. I stared around wildly in growing panic as my form began to take shape once more from within a glowing blue orb, shoting streams of blue in all dirictions. My skin was freshly pink like a new-born babies, and I was completely naked. My gaze snapped down to my bare breasts in shock. They were bigger too. Definitely a C-cup, instead of my usual A-cup. My eyes bulged.


    ''''What the hell?!''''


    The white nothingness contracted violently around me, sending a shiver down my newly reformed spine with what sounded like shrills of pain from the void itself. It was loud, and quite possibly, soul shattering. My entire body shundered violently from the noise as the white pulsed brightly as with the other strange being from before. Riishi. That quiet part of me whispered yet again. I snapped. I couldn''t take it anymore.


    ''''SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!'''' I grabbed my ears in vain, willing the shrilling screams to stop. But they only seemed to get louder.


    Suddenly the void began contracting on me, trying desperately to shove me out. I screamed. The touch of nothingness worse than any searing sun. As it threw me around violently I wrapped myself in the fetal position, hoping to lessen the pain from the contact. Just as I thought it was going to tear my soul apart with its violent tearing motions, a voice called to me in my mind.


    ''Hold on child! Please! You must reach for the light!'' It said desperately.


    I frowned, dimly aware of the tearing sensations traveling through my body, numbing my mind. Reach for the light? But the light was trying to kill me, so why the hell would I reach for it? My mind was shouting with reason, yet that quiet voice within me whispered not to hesitate. To believe in the voice. I didn''t want too... and yet.... why did that voice sound so familiar...?


    ''Do it now child! Let go of yourself! I cannot control this void between the realms, it is too damaged!''


    Wait... wasn''t that the voice from earlier...? Riishi, wasn''t it...?


    ''NOW!''


    I flinched from the intensity of the voice as it echoed through my head. Thinking I had nothing left to loose, I reluctantly held my conscious out, and taking a deep breath.... let go. The void instantly snatched me up, sending me flying at great speeds towards an opening that was ripping itself open in its haste to expel me. A warm colored light spilled through, reminding me of the sun from home. Sun... Home... I closed my eyes, letting the pain that still drifted from earlier send me to sleep, trusting- whoever the voice belonged too- that I would be ok now. Nothing else mattered at the moment. Just the overwhelming heaviness that begged me to sleep. It would be ok now.... the void would make sure I left its domain, I just needed... sleep....


    My eyes closed. instantly welcoming the darkness that drowned out the light.


    _______________


    The Goddess smiled and called for Her Chosen upon the world as She watched the girl go flying out of the white void and crash into the forest below. She would be alright now, at least, for a bit. Her Chosen would arrive and take care of the child, for her power would soon awaken, and her Fate along with it. It would be tough, extremely so. She just hoped the girl had it in her to resist the temptation, least She would have to end her. Just like her ancestor before her. Many worlds were dying for what her ancestor did, She couldn''t let her cause the same outcome. The Death Bringer could not be allowed to rule her realms. The Goddess stilled as Her power flared violently within the void. She would not allow it.


    _______________


    The boy stared down at the uncoscious girl in shock. He had came running when he heard an explosion and felt the powerful pull of energy from within the forest, the very forest he was supposed to protect, yet he could not understand what he saw. The girl had came flying out of nowhere and had crashed straight through the forest at great speed, yet she was unharmed. And completely naked. Her skin was the color of a new born babies. And she carried a strange black mark on the underside of her wrist that stood out with great contrast from her beautiful brown hair that fell to her shoulders in a golden wave. She seemed ethereal in her beauty, like some strange force was moving just below her skin.


    He shivered. This was her. The girl from his dream. The dream his Goddess sent him.


    He didn''t know what was happening, but he would trust his Goddess. Taking off his leather jacket he bent down and covered the girl before picking her up. As her head rolled onto his shoulder he turned around and headed back towards his house. Glancing down he could tell her face was sculpted as if of royalty, soft, yet holding a presence of power and authority. He sighed and looked away. She was beautiful, and felt like his Goddess, but he would not trust her. She held darkness. A darkness so thick it rivaled Death itself. No, he would watch her closely, and do what he must to protect his world. Just as his Goddess had commanded of him.

 Chapter 4 - Fated Meetings - Part 2 -

    I woke with a startling yelp as ice cold water poured over my brow. My eyes snapped open to see a young boy, about seven years of age, holding a wet rag above my head. I blinked, dumbfounded as the boy grined sheepishly.


    ''''Sorry ''bout that. You just looked feverish, so I thought I could help cool you down.'''' He broke into a huge smile. ''''My mom used to do that for me too, she was really cool.''''


    I stared, not sure what to say as I slowly processed the boy in front of me. He had short dirty blond hair that looked ruffled over to one side, and a good deal of freckles dotting his face, highlighting his warm brown eyes. I frowned. He was also very dirty, his body and clothes covered in clusters of strange dark sand that I could not identify.


    Seeing my expression the boy quickly lowered the rag he held, thinking that was causing me to frown. ''''Ah! I''m sorry, I probably should''ve asked, but you''ve been out of it for three days now, and since it''s summer, I figured you wouldn''t mind a cool down.'''' He looked down in embarrassment as he put the rag back in the bucket beside the bed. ''''I wasn''t trying to be weird or nothin''. ''''


    I couldn''t help but give a small smile to the strange boy, he was amusing, even to my dazed and confused mind. ''''Tis'' fine.'''' I managed to mutter. My throat stiff from lack of use.


    The young boy cracked a huge smile at my appearent amusement. ''''Great! I''m Dulgo by the way, but people just call me Dash cause im super fast. Ah! But enough about me, you probably want to see my brother right now huh? He was your knight in shining armour after all!'''' The boy all but jumped into the small bed with me in his excitement. ''''Oh yeah! And his name is-''''


    ''''Dulgo?'''' An older boys voice called from somewhere outside. His tone covered in worry.


    The younger boy quickly looked to the door.'''' Hey thats him! Hold on and i''ll go get him for ya!'''' Before I could speak he was bounding out the door, a huge grin lighting his face.


    Sighing I glance to the wall beside my bed in confusion. Where was I anyway? All I remembered was a black rock, a white light, and... and pain.... I grabbed my forhead as a sharp pulsing pain tore through my skull at the memory. It was almost like an echo of the pain still drifted through my being, but that wouldn''t make since, not unless.... I paled as the quiet voice from earlier whispered something to me about my soul being torn as I traveled through a tainted void, this worlds tainted void to be exact. No... the voice wasn''t a dream... did that mean none of it was? I hastly sat up as my memories came rushing back and looked out the window beside the bed in growing panic.


    A winged creature flew by the window as I stared in shock at what lay beyond. It was beautiful. It was so green. A color I thought i''d never get to see. And there was water, trickling along the ground like its always belonged. It was day, yet it didn''t disappear like the water I was used too. I blinked. Where the hell was I? Yanking my head up to see the sky I instantly regretted it. The sun was just right to be wrong, shining directly into my eyes from the window. It hurt. Bad. Wincing I held my hand up to the light and looked around the room in awe. Beautiful sounds chirped and echoed through the tiny bare room as the light played with the dust in the air. But what truly astounded me was the color of the sky. I looked back outside and smiled. It was breath-taking. So deep, so... rich in its essence. It was definitely the most beautiful blue sky i''d ever seen. But it also disturbed me greatly. Everything was so different, there was no way I was on my world anymore. Which meant I truly did experience all of that, it wasn''t just a dream. I actually traveled through the lifestream and to another world. But why? I wanted my world to be filled with life like in my mothers stories, like this worlds. That was my only wish, so why was I here?


    A shiver ran down my spine as I now frowned to the strange world outside. I was afraid, but I could not let that show. I was in an unknown land. An entirely different world. The dangers here were unknown and very, very real. My fist clenched the blankets tightly. One thing was for sure. The second I found the person- thing- that brought me here, I was going to tear them a new one. They had no idea of the pain I had felt, but they would. I would make sure of it. Thunder sounded ominously in the distance as I thought this. As if the very heavens wanted to seek vengence for my pains. I smirked a little darkly at this as I raised my hand to my face and pushed my hair back. Oh yes. Revenge was definitely going to be mine.


    ''''So are you planning to kill me? Cause that face of yours could freeze death itself.''''


    Yelping in surprise for the second time that day at the slightly amused voice from the door I threw myself backwards in a panic, slamming my back into the wall behind me in my haste to get away. I sucked in a deep hiss of pain as I noticed it was an older boy standing there, not some creature. I grabbed the back of my head as I looked to the guy warely, watching him as he stood with his slightly muscled arms crossed. Honestly, he looked pretty good. Like an older, more chiseled version of the younger boy.The only difference was the eyes. Where the boys was warm and inviting, his was distant, and the most beautiful honey gold color I''d ever seen. He seemed... on guard somehow. Like he didn''t trust me. I scoffed. Well good, I didn''t trust him either. But why did I zone like that? I could''ve been attacked, this wasn''t like me at all. And were did all those dark thoughts come from? I''ve never thought of torturing anything before. In fact, I hated having to kill. Just because i was good at it didn''t mean I liked it. Not one bit. So why?


    My eyes narrowed as the boy stepped into the room and began crossing over too me. He stopped midway in, a little hesitant of my caged tiger look. We waited in tenseful silience for a few minutes before he finally spoke, shifting to his other foot as he quirked his brow.


    ''


    ''So? Are you going to tell me your name now that you''re awake, or am I going to have to guess?''''


    I blinked. Ah... I guess these people exchange names when they first meet others, instead of blows. I frowned. Did they not have to fight over resources? I glance out the window again. Well, given the water and the edible-looking animals everywhere, I highly doubted it. But still, I didn''t really feel inclined to talk. Why were they so friendly? Didn''t they know I was from another world? I studied the boys calm face. No... They probably didn''t... They would be freaking out if they did. But should I tell them? I didn''t know much of what was going on either, so it would probably just confuse them as much as it did me if I couldn''t even explain my purpose here. I bit my lip in hesitance.


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    ''''I... I don''t know...'''' I look down as I say this, not wanting him to see my face. For some reason I got the feeling he would be able to tell I was lying if I kept eye contact with him. I don''t know why I felt that way, but I''ve always trusted my instincts, so I wouldn''t stop now.


    The boy frowned in worry and immediately crossed the distance between us and leaned across the bed towards me, ignoring my sounds of protests as I tried to back away to no avail. I looked around in panic as he spread his hand across my forhead. Gah! Fuck this stupid wall and my stupid weak arms! where did all my strength go?!


    ''''Really? Hmm... You do seem a little warm...''''


    Our eyes meet as I looked up to protest, his beautiful gold to my startling green, and I couldn''t help but stare. They were even more beautiful up close, the light from the window making them shimmer with an inner light that seemed to dance and pulse from within. I licked my suddenly dry lips, my protests dying as I felt something familiar shifting under those golden orbs. Power. There was power in this boy. The same alien power that coursed through me on my journey through the lifestream. And there was lots of it. I struggled through my fuzzy memory of the time. Was he...? No... He wasn''t the one who brought me here. It was... It was a woman... It felt like a woman... so why did he feel the same as Her...? The same as... I frowned. The same as...


    ''''...Riishi?''''


    The boy looked startled for a second, then started laughing heartedly. Shocking me for a second time by how much brighter his eyes got when warmth shined through. I liked it my dazed mind thought. I liked it when his eyes looked at me with warmth instead of cold. He removed his hand and placed it on the oppisite side of the bed from his other hand, bracing himself in front of me as he shook his head, a hearty grin still in place.


    ''''Thats nice of you, but im not my Goddess. And I could never hope to be.'''' He quirked his brow again, this time with genuine amusement. ''''Why did you call me that?''''


    ''''Ah! No, I didn''t- I was...'''' I frowned in confusion. ''''It was just a memory... I think...'''' I shook my dazed head, hoping to dislodge the weird feeling as my strength began to return. ''''No, it''s nothing. Um, do you mind getting off the bed before I end up hurting you? I like my personal space, and you''re creeping me the hell out.''''


    He stayed there looking at me in shock for a few seconds before turning his head in an inquiring manner, completely ignoring my warning. ''''I do? Why?''''


    My muscles began twitching in distress, the feeling to lash out becoming more unbearable the more uncomfortable I got. ''''Um, well, there''s plenty of reasons, but if you don''t get the hell away from me in the next five seconds you won''t live long enough to find out about any them.''''


    The boy must''ve finally noticed my tensed muscles and twitching fingers, because the second the sentence ended he was off the bed and halfway across the room before I could blink. Or he just saw the truth of it in my eyes, either way, I was greatful for some space. I looked the boy up and down as my muscles slowly began to relax, a little curious dispite myself. He was interesting for a normal looking boy, and I had to admit, he sure could move. Maybe that boy Dulgo got his speed from him, they were brothers after all. I rubbed the back of my neck looked away in discomfort.


    ''''So um, I would love to talk, but would you give me some space for a little while? I need some time to think.'''' I glance back towards him in desperation. ''''Please...? I honestly don''t even know what''s going on...''''


    He shifted reluctantly, opening his mouth before closing it again. Finally after a few moments he nods. ''''Alright. I''ll be outside, so call if you need anything.'''' He points behind him. ''''And there''s some food in the kitchen, so if you feel up to it then help yourself.''''


    I watch him disappear into the room he called the kitchen before I heard the distinct sound of a door opening, then closing once more. I waited a few more moments to see if he was coming back before slowly getting up, careful to not make any noise as I heard muffled voices traveling by the outside wall. Okay, so this was freaking nuts. I was on an alien world because some- thing - calling itself the Life Bringer decided to, supposedly, give me the power to save my world that was appearently cursed to die because of my ancestrial Grandfather deciding to do something stupid.


    Yeah. this totally made sense. Oh, and lets not forget said alien boy calling that Riishi creature his Goddess. Great, like it wasn''t creepy enough. I really needed answers, and fast. And more importantly, I needed to find my way home. If I actually believed the whole ''You''ve got the power to save your world'' thing that is. That was my wish at least, so I should be able to do it now that that ''O'' So Great Goddess'' of his gave me the power to do so. I sighed as I stretched, letting the strange cloth that was wrapped around my body fall to the floor before looking around for my clothes. Not seeing them in the room I frowned. I loved the clothes mother made for me, but it seems like I''d have to borrow someone elses until I could find mine.


    A little frustrated I walked over to the strange furnature and opened the drawers, finding plenty of the older boys clothes to choose from. Hesitating to make sure their voices were still outside I quickly dressed in some of the older boys clothes. They felt weird, but I could tell the pants I had on were some kind of strange brown leather, while the shirt was an itchy white material that I had to tuck in to minamize the slack since it was big on even my new and improved body. It sucked. This whole situation was crazy, but these clothes were just... Where were their protective clothing? There were no thick layerings, so that would make me an easy target for any kind of weapon or creature out there. Tsk. And I thought this journey was weird in the beginning, now it was just plain fucked up. Nothing made sense too me, and I needed things to make sense. Now more than ever.


    _______________


    ''''Hey! Is anybody home?! Earth to big bro, Im trying to talk too ya here!'''' The little boy waved his hands in front of my dazed face as I leaned on the shovel and stared into the woods, trying to think about the strange girl I had left to sit in my bed a few minutes earlier and the mysteries surrounding her, but my brother was finally bringing my attention back too the present with his insistent waving.


    Frowning I look down to my little brother in confusion. ''''What?''''


    He stills and stares at me for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. ''''Oh geez, this is freakin'' unbelievable! My brother is already in love with her! The world is truly and understandably doomed!''''


    He kneeled over in his laughing fit as I finally remembered he had asked me what I thought of her earlier. Ruffling his hair good heartedly I laughed with him. ''''Oh come on, you know that isn''t true. Im just trying to figure out where she came from so I can send her home.''''


    The boy stops laughing and looks towards the house worriedly. ''''Yeah, her parents must be worried sick huh?''''


    I wince a little from the way he casually mentions parents. He was too young to remember ours, but it still hurt to think he never get to know what having parents felt like. ''''Surely, but you mustn''t approach her carelessly remember? We can''t have anyone finding out where the Gate is.'''' My hands tighten on the wooden handle. ''''Especially with the Taint going around.''''


    He looks up to me with a determined look on his face, his voice filled with the tone of someone who was recitng something he was taught since birth.


    ''''I know, we have to protect the Gate from outsiders like our parents did.'''' He glances back towards the house, his voice going back to his child-like certainty. ''''But she doesn''t seem sick like the others. Strange, yes, but not filled with darkness like the others were. Besides, didn''t you say you could feel the darkness in people?''''


    I follow his gaze as I remembered what I had dreamed, and what I had felt, my gaze becoming distant once more.


    ''''I can. And that''s what is worrying me.''''

 AUTHORS NOTE~!!

    Just a little update and thanks to everyone!!


    So first of all, I''m REALLY thankful to those who''ve read this story and those who are currently Following as well!!


    But just a heads up to everyone who''s interested in this story, It''ll be awhile before I can get back to writing on this since I''ll be focusing on my other stories that have more people interested in them first, including those on other sites,but when I''m done with them I''ll be coming back to this one, so I hope ya''ll will still be interested in it by then!!


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Sorry forany inconvenience, but I''d like to focus my efforts as to not get strung out on too many stories at once. Thank you for the understanding though, and again, danka so much!! <3